By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Opinion was mixed among Bengals players and coaches Wednesday on whether 18-year-old high school graduates should be allowed to enter the NFL draft.

On Tuesday, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, 19, that challenges the league rule forcing a player to be out of high school for three years before entering the draft.

"Your body's not ready. You might not make it out of the fist game," said 192-pound wide receiver Chad Johnson, who weighed 160 coming out of Miami Beach High School. "It's going to be a big jump. This is not the NBA."

The argument made by Johnson and other Bengals players is that 18-year-old athletes are not physically or intellectually mature enough to take the pounding of an NFL game, let alone a season.

"It's tough for a young guy to jump to the professional ranks with only one year of experience," said wide receiver Kelley Washington, 24, who left Tennessee after just two seasons of college football but previously had played parts of four seasons in minor-league baseball.

Coach Marvin Lewis has 11 years of college coaching experience and recruited high school players.

"History has proven that most of the guys who come out early should stay in college," Lewis said. "They would be much better players and much better people."

DILLON DATA: Tailback Corey Dillon (groin) has been upgraded to probable for Sunday's game at Cleveland. Dillon's individual success directly parallels - or influences - the team's success against the Browns.

In the Bengals' four victories against the new Browns since 1999, Dillon has rushed for an average of 159.3 yards. In the Bengals' four losses to the Browns, Dillon has been held to an average of 76 yards.

Dillon did not dress for practice Wednesday afternoon but participated in drills with assistant trainer Billy Brooks.

Three other players did not practice: tight end Matt Schobel (hamstring), who is doubtful, and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) and linebacker Riall Johnson (calf), who are out. In addition to Dillon, three other Bengals are probable: strong safety Marquand Manuel (hamstring), linebacker Brian Simmons (shoulder) and tailback Rudi Johnson (thigh).

NOT LATE: Chad Johnson all but said the reason he didn't start Sunday was the result of his mouth. He said it was not because he was late for team meetings Saturday night. In fact, he was two hours early.

"It was just a misunderstanding between us," Johnson said of why Lewis didn't start him. "I was out only two plays. That's how small it was. But the point was letting us know nothing's going to slide."

TURF WARS: Lewis had little to say when asked about the possibility of the Bengals installing FieldTurf or another contemporary artificial playing surface at Paul Brown Stadium.

On the heels of Dillon and other players complaining about the grass field, Lewis said: "Both teams play on that field. It will be something we will take care of in due time."

Jack Brennan, Bengals public relations director, said the team is considering all options and will evaluate the field at season's end.

"Would those options include the installation of FieldTurf?" Brennan said. "Absolutely. In the meantime, we're going to continue to work on the natural surface."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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